Ecuador 2008 - Photos

We had a fun and successful trip to Ecuador in January of 2008.
Please enjoy the photos below from the trip.

The statue of the Virgin high on the hill in Parque El Pancillo from
the bellfry of Bascilica del Voto Nacional.

Old town from Parque El Pancillo

Pasochoa, a beautiful place to start the acclimatization hikes.

Up high on the ridge in Pasochoa, heading to the cliff band where
we'll turn around.

The rock wall at 3800M

Heading to Guagua Pichinchia. From this road, we'll have to follow the switchbacks up the steep hill in front of us to the refugio, then to the summit.

Heading up to the left peak from the refugio. The
crater is to the left of the photo, down below in the clouds.

The ridge leading from the left summit to the main summit.

Everyone on the summit at 4,794M (15,728')

Illiniza Norte from the upper parking lot at La Virgen

The steep approach took 3 1/2 hrs and went from
high grassy plains thru steep scree to the upper
saddle where the refugio is located.

The refugio with Illinizia Norte behind freshly covered in snow.

Illinizia Sur from Illinizi Norte

Climbing Illinizia Norte requires some rock scrambling. Although some guidebooks say, "a rope is not needed", those who have been there know it is sure nice to bring along...

Returning to the refugio from Illinizia Norte via the scree descent

Cotopaxi in the evening, just before sundown from the Illinizia Col

Avenue of the Volcanoes from the Illiniza Col at sunrise. From left to right, Cayambe, Antisana, and Cotopaxi.

Cotopaxi peaking out through the clouds on the drive in from Machachi

Cotopaxi and the Jose Ribas refugio from the parking lot at 4500M

The Jose Ribas refugio

The entrance into the refugio. Watch you head on the bell just right of the door...

The main dining area inside the refugio, the stairs go up to the sleeping area.

One of the kitchens inside the refugio

A view of the bunks in the sleeping area.

Climbing Cotopaxi requires starting in the early hours of the new
day - approx 12am to 1am.

After about 5hrs of climbing, we gain the steep slopes above Yanasacha, some daylight is starting to break through the dark night.

Getting higher up, we'll soon be turning off our headlamps.

Sunrise on the east side of the mountain casts a shadow of it on the clouds.

Some on the crevasses passed along the way. The Illinizia's are
in the distance.

Getting high above Yanasacha, the summit is close.

The final steep slope and traverse above Yanasacha brings us to
the final crevasse and slope to the summit.

A break allows for some great pictures.

The summit of Cotopaxi - Matt, Marty and Chris after a long morning of climbing.

The summit cone of Cotopaxi. The smoke rising out of the crater brings a strong smell of sulfur. In the distance are Chimborazo and Tungurahua. Tungurahua has been very active lately and you can see a strong cloud of smoke rising up out of it.

View the video of the summit on Youtube

A closer view of Chimborazo and Tungurahua and its' smoke.

After a rest and some photos, it is time to head down.

Back down at the bowl below Yanasacha.

Heading down the glacier some more

Passing along a serac-ish block on the way down.

The refugio from the final turn, soon to be in our sleeping bags again.

A rest day takes us to the market in Otovalo

From rugs, to sweaters, to jewelry, you can get all your gifts here.

On the way back to Quito from Otovalo, we'll pass by the equator in Cayambe.

The monument here is an actual sun-dial. It is 3pm at the time of the photo - check out where the line from the shade is, right at the 3pm mark. For more info on the equator and this monument please visit: www.quitsato.org

Other Photo Pages

Shawangunk Rock Climbing

Adirondack Rock Climbing

Cascades 2006 & 2007

Cascades 2008

Mount Rainier 2008

Carstensz Pyramid 2006

Carstensz Pyramid 2009 (the Moni Climb)

Ecuador 2008